What is Counselling?

Counsellors are trained to deal with a broad range of situations, helping people to resolve emotional, psychological and relationship issues. People may be experiencing distressing and difficult events in their lives, such as bereavement, anxiety, sexual and racial issues, relationship difficulties, abuse, trauma and personal problem solving. They may have more general underlying disturbing feelings and emotions or dissatisfaction with life. Some people feel isolated and have no one else to talk to. Despite having supportive family and friends, others find it difficult to talk to loved ones about their concerns and often find it easier to talk about family, personal or relationship issues with an independent professional.

Counselling offers a safe confidential space to talk to a trained professional about one’s concerns and feelings, which involves a series of formal sessions taking place at a regular agreed upon time in a safe and private space.

Counsellors will not give advice, nor solve their clients’ problems. They will listen to their stories, encourage and empathize and help them to understand themselves better. A counsellor will challenge clients to recognize patterns of thinking and behavior and help them to see issues more clearly from a different perspective. Together they will discover ways to find solutions to resolve or cope with their situation and make positive life changes.